170 GENERAL HISTORY. 



A. G. Gulley discussed the question whether to grow 



IN" HILLS OR IN MATTED ROWS, 



and argued that matted rows are more profitable so far as the Chicago mar- 

 ket is concerned. 



T. T. Lyon stated that in Ottawa and Muskegon counties it was found 

 more profitable to grow Wilsons in hills for the Chicago market. 



The secretary read a paper from Hon. Parker Earle, the ''strawberry 

 king" of Illinois, giving his 



METHOD OF CULTURE, 



including the packages used and manner of shipment. 



» MULCHING, 



with various substances, was discussed. The most satisfactory article for 

 the purpose, when attainable, seemed to be marsh hay cut before the seeds 

 ripen. 



VARIETIES FOR DIFFERENT SOILS 



were discussed at considerable length, but no single variety named 

 received general approval. 



Dr. Beal followed, giving an illustration of the botanical methods 

 practiced at the college, by introducing seventeen young ladies and gentle- 

 men of his class, each with a distinct topic which they had studied by the 

 aid of the microscope. These studies were illustrated by drawings. The 

 following were the topics discussed: — 



1 . Structure of a leaf. 



2. The mouths of a leaf. 



3. Young hairs of a leaf. 



4. Sting of a nettle. 



5. Protoplasm in motion. 



6. Palisade cells in a leaf. 



7. Starch of common and Arizona jjotato 



compared. 



8. The frame work of a leaf. 



9. Fibers of cotton, flax and wood com- j and then* contents. 



pared. I 



10. Why nuts are hard. 



11. Tough and brittle white ash as seen 

 magnified. 



12. Structure of a grain of wheat. 



13. Pollen and its growth. 



14. Quince rust. 



15. Corn smut. 



16. A study of common mould. 



17. Effects of severe cold or heat on cells 



The students^were questioned upon these topics, and gave prompt and dis- 

 tinct answers, indicating a thorough familiarity with their subjects. 



Dr. Beal remarked in explanation : ''These young people, who are members 

 of the sophomore class, will now give you some notion of the things they 

 have been studying. During the spring term they spent two hours daily in 

 the botanical laboratory, investigating plants, each aided by a compound 

 microscope and other apparatus. For most of the time they all work on the 

 same subject, but each member of the class has a special topic, to which he 

 gives more attention. The subjects selected for this meeting have not been 

 worked up any better.^ than others which are not here placed on your pro- 



